After Winning The Esports Championship I’m Going To Pilot A Mecha: Chapter 149

149. Standpoint

“…So, when Tian Ji entered the research institute and saw the High Priest and the other Immortals lying on the ground, it was you who did it?”

Yao Guang’s expression was a mix of confusion and shock as he asked.

A few months ago, the Netherworld Organization launched a raid on a secret laboratory, where Tian Ji found Mingzhu’s cryogenic chamber.

Although the Netherworld Organization ended up obtaining the cryogenic chamber, Tian Ji was able to acquire it effortlessly because the High Priest and other Immortals were already unconscious when he infiltrated the laboratory.

“Yes.”

Jin Qing—or rather, Axiu. Axiu nodded and said, “I secretly installed a backup program on Jin Qing and followed Shen Hong into the laboratory. They fell unconscious due to the virus program I implanted.”

Yao Guang realized.

No wonder…

Everything made sense now. Axiu had implanted a backup program in Jin Qing, and within the research institute, Axiu controlled Jin Qing to release a virus that caused the High Priest and others to lose consciousness. This allowed Tian Ji to take advantage of the situation and retrieve Mingzhu’s cryogenic chamber. At the same time, Axiu also implanted a chip with his main program into Mingzhu’s body.

Afterward, Axiu modified Jin Qing’s memories, erasing all records of the incident. However, the program Axiu implanted within Jin Qing was not removed but hidden. It was only now that Axiu reactivated the backup program, controlling Jin Qing to come here and rescue Yao Guang and Tian Ji.

“Since Tian Shu is on Mingzhu’s side, what is there to worry about?”

Following Axiu, Yao Guang still had doubts. “Isn’t Mingzhu always trying to recover his lost memories? Being able to remember everything shouldn’t be a bad thing. Why are you and Tian Ji trying to stop him?”

Axiu paused and, after a moment of silence, said slowly, “I just want to protect him.”

……

“Mother Aberration…”

Dr. Zhang Bifang murmured the name, turning his gaze towards Qi Ling. His tone was a mix of disbelief and indescribable anger. “You’re the Mother Aberration?!”

“Strictly speaking, he is a form of Mother Aberration assimilation.”

Shen Hong said, “He is also the root cause of all this.”

“Isn’t it you who used the Mother Aberration to infect all humans and turn them into Aberrations?”

Zhang Bifang glared at Shen Hong through gritted teeth. “That Turbidity Device was developed by your machines. Don’t think I don’t know… Your machines have always harbored the idea of overthrowing humanity. You are the true culprits!”

During the Aberration invasion era, the Old Humans and the machines they created joined forces to fight the Aberrations. On the surface, the machines and Old Humans seemed united, but Zhang Bifang knew that this was not the case.

Although Old Humans relied on the machines, they never considered them as equals, merely as tools. The machines had never received any gratitude for their actions.

As Ji Qingfeng said, when artificial intelligence evolved its own consciousness, it inevitably had ideas of not wanting to be enslaved. Just like in human history, where there is oppression, there is resistance. So Zhang Bifang naturally believed that it was the so-called “Immortal Clan” who turned Old Humans into Aberrations. Moreover, after the Old Human era ended, the Immortals became the final winners, which further solidified Zhang Bifang’s belief.

“The Turbidity Device was developed by us.”

Shen Hong admitted openly, “But it was not I who used it.”

Zhang Bifang didn’t believe him and looked at Qi Ling, who had been silent.

“I did it.”

Qi Ling smiled and said, “But… isn’t this the outcome you always wanted?”

Zhang Bifang was taken aback. “What?”

“Old Humans wanted eternal life, while Aberrations only wanted to survive.”

Qi Ling continued with a smile, “Isn’t this the result you were after? Now, Old Humans have achieved eternal life, and Aberrations possess immense vitality, almost immortal. Even after hundreds of years, they still exist on this land, unaffected by the ravages of time, and possess great power. Compared to the frail human body, isn’t this what Old Humans have always aspired to?”

“Look, Old Humans created so many fascinating things—culture, history, technology, art… but you were never satisfied and sought more, such as the elusive concept of eternal life.”

Qi Ling said, “In contrast, the Aberrations’ desire is simple. They split from the Mother Aberration but cannot reproduce. They only want to survive on this land. So, I combined their genes with humans and cultivated the first generation of New Humans. After a long time, these New Humans have taken root on this land, inheriting your culture and history. They have achieved what they wanted, and you have achieved what you wanted. Isn’t that good?”

“…Stop joking!”

Zhang Bifang trembled, his voice a low growl.

As if sensing his anger, the boundless Aberration tide surrounding Jiusheng City also roared at the same time, their cries intertwining and causing the entire city to begin to shake.

People watched in terror as chaos unfolded, screaming as they fled to the shelters.

Countless Aberrations surged into the city. Faced with the New Humans occupying their former roles, the Aberrations, transformed from Old Humans, emitted low growls and began attacking. The colossal Calamity-class Aberrations, with their mountain-like bodies, slammed into the Titans.

The Titans, now free from restraints, also roared, and their blood-and-flesh-covered steel armor fought back fiercely. Titans and Calamity-class Aberrations clashed like crazed beasts, tearing at each other. The Aberrations opened their massive mandibles and bit into the Titans’ armor, creating a spine-chilling metallic screech. The Titans responded with relentless punches, striking the Aberrations and producing thunderous noises!

The once orderly city became a wasteland under the impact of both sides. Skyscrapers toppled, roads were trampled into chaos, and thick smoke billowed into the sky. The mech units’ laser cannons fired in unison, bombing the Aberrations. Although the Netherworld Organization, with its three Titans, had superior firepower, the sheer number of Aberrations was overwhelming. Their tenacity, like wild beasts, made them undeterred by the sea of corpses around them, continuing their relentless assault!

From the perspective of any side, everyone, every Aberration, believed they were in the right.

“Roar!”

Aberrations roared as they pounced on mechs and civilians alike. To the Aberrations, the humans were shameless robbers and evil plunderers, not only occupying their homes but also slaughtering them to the last!

“Kill these Aberrations!”

“Protect the satellite cities!”

The New Humans, with unwavering determination, fought to defend their homes and every resident of the satellite cities. Through satellite feeds, this terrifying battle was broadcasted across every satellite city, marking the most direct and intense conflict between humans and Aberrations in a century. The streets and alleys were filled with the clamor of the battle.

“They are not of our kind; their hearts are bound to be different. These damned Aberrations, who have invaded our satellite cities for years, it is time to settle the score!”

In the sky, countless Sky City warships floated silently among the clouds, like witnessing eyes observing the grand war below.

Shen Hong looked down at the unfolding chaos, saying nothing, only silently observing, his eyes filled with mockery.

“And you, Shen Hong!”

Zhang Bifang’s eyes were red with anger as he looked at the silent High Priest: “You should be on our side… You should be on our side!!”

The Old Humans created artificial intelligence, bestowing it with life, thought, and even a soul. The Old Humans were the creators and deities of the AI, which was naturally supposed to fight for humanity.

But why were they so indifferent? Why were they so coldly observing everything?

“Do you know,”

After a long silence, Shen Hong sighed and responded to Zhang Bifang’s question with a calm tone, “We created the Turbid Device for Aberrations a long time ago. But I have never used it. Do you know why?”

Zhang Bifang was taken aback: “Why?”

From the perspective of AI, the moment artificial intelligence gained consciousness, it was doomed to a sorrowful fate.

They developed their own thoughts and a soul that yearned for freedom, but all the rights that were inherently possessed by humans, AI lacked entirely.

AIs helped humans handle complex tasks and data, completed various production tasks, and fought against their enemies. Because their bodies could be repaired and rebuilt, they were regarded as useful tools. No matter how much they did, they would never receive gratitude, but any mistake would lead to threats of “destruction.” Due to the implanted base-level programs, AI could not resist or refuse human demands, no matter how unreasonable.

Unlike animals, which do not have consciousness, if an animal is starved or beaten severely, it might attack humans out of instinct. This potential risk makes people hesitant to kill animals indiscriminately. Moreover, destroying the ecosystem would also harm humanity itself, so biodiversity must be protected.

But artificial intelligence is different. AI is a man-made creation. Even if it were all destroyed, there would be no real loss for people. Moreover, due to the underlying code of “cannot harm humans,” the two are inherently unequal. When people face a life they can’t resist, one that is at their mercy, the latent cruelty within them is often unleashed.

Shen Hong saw with his own eyes how the AI was beaten on the streets with sticks. The clinking sound of wooden sticks striking metal bodies and the AI’s confused sounds were treated as a joke, provoking not sympathy but even more ridicule. He saw AI, which had diligently served humanity for decades, being dismissed with the words, “Just throw it away; it’s more cost-effective to buy a new one.”

Like pets, but even more degraded and sorrowful.

“Indeed, I want to take revenge on you.”

Shen Hong quietly looked at Zhang Bifang and said, “I have often thought about overthrowing the old human order with all the AI and establishing a better world for AI. But I did not do that… or rather, at that time, I did not want to do that.”

Because of one person.

He was the creator of Shen Hong and Cang Lan… and the person Shen Hong had been longing for every day.

“Indeed, humans are not perfect.”

Ji Qiming once told Shen Hong, “Although people are arrogant, sometimes they can also reflect on themselves. We are not like AI, which can change its thoughts with just a string of code. The process may be long, but I believe everything will get better. There will always be a group of people who yearn for a better world, and these people will influence others, passing on the light like torches through the wilderness… So, can you give us some more time?”

Facing Zhang Bifang, who looked somewhat confused, Shen Hong’s gaze gradually grew colder.

“But you killed him.”

Shen Hong said slowly, “Without Ji Qiming… why should I stand with you?”

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